Donovan

Donovan is both a surname of Irish origin and a given name used in English-speaking countries. It derives from the Gaelic Ó Donnabháin, meaning “descendant of Donnabhán.” Donnabhán itself is a Gaelic form built from donn, meaning “brown” or “dark,” with a patronymic suffix. The surname originated in Ireland and Scotland and spread with Irish and Scottish diaspora communities. As a given name, Donovan has been popular in the United States and other countries since the mid-20th century.

Notable people with the name include the Scottish-born singer-songwriter known simply as Donovan (Donovan Leitch, born 1946); American football quarterback Donovan McNabb (born 1976); Canadian sprinter Donovan Bailey (born 1967); American actor Donovan Patton (born 1978); and American basketball player Donovan Mitchell (born 1996). The name appears across various fields, reflecting its broad usage in English-speaking countries.